Thursday, June 2, 2016

We
live in a wonderland filled with so many delicious resources, choosing just a
few becomes more and more difficult. The new Minnesota Grown Directory for 2016
does not make the job any easier with more than 1,000 food and product resources
in the state. But the directory is free and all you have to do is ask for one
sent to your door.

Start
with the state’s award-winning wines. Since 1973 when David Bailly established Minnesota’s
first vineyard Alexis Bailly Vineyard near Hastings to the more than 600
vineyards and 40 wineries in operation today, there is one near you. Many offer
wine tastings, vineyard tours, grape stomping in the fall, picnic areas
overlooking scenic valleys and special events. Cannon River Winery in Cannon
Falls is a good example. About an hour drive south of the Twin Cities the
winery is in an historic building in the middle of town with the vineyard a
short distance away. On weekends the wine master may be on hand to explain the
wine process and you can taste the results. Light food is also available at
reasonable prices and the winery presents a variety of entertainers throughout
the year. Go to cannonriverwinery.com . Or for wine and beer lovers, head to Waconia and
the Schram Vineyards Winery and Brewery with many weekend events. schramvineyards.com
.

On
July 30 and 31 plan to attend the Waconia Wine Festival featuring tours and
tastings at the Parley Lake Winery, Sovereign Estate and Schram Vineyards and
Brewery. The Festival includes outdoor activities plus food and craft vendors.
Tickets are $25 and available online at waconiawinecountry.com/event/waconia-wine-festival-weekend .

Then
there are the 176 Farmers’ Markets around the state. All are open this month
through October with a bounty of freshly grown and picked produce, locally
raised meat and fish, baked goods and so much more. One of my favorites is the
Mill City Farmers’ Market in Minneapolis on the banks of the Mississippi River
between the Guthrie Theater and the Mill City Museum. Every Saturday morning
there is musical entertainment, a variety of food vendors, local growers with
freshly picked produce and meat and fish farmers along with honey, jam, jelly,
pickles, baked goods and so much more. And there is often a cooking
demonstration. Gorkha Palace has long had a booth at the market featuring their
food from Nepal, India and Tibet including popular momos. On June 4 there will
be special features focusing on urban farming and on June 11 the market will
highlight immigrant farmers. The second Saturday of each month features the
mini farm with live sheep and hens. After the market, visit the Mill City
Museum for an unusual look at Minnesota’s important flour history.

Not
enough for you? How about pick-your-own farms where you and the family can save
money by going into the fields and picking your own strawberries, raspberries,
green beans, pumpkins, apples and so much more throughout the season.

But
the directory does not stop at every variety of food. It also lists alpaca
fiber products, beeswax products, Christmas trees, elk antlers, leather goods,
lumber, petting zoos, soap, wreaths and yarn to name a few. Get your free copy
at www.minnesotagrown.com or search
through their web directory for sources near you. It can add a whole new
dimension to your summer.

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Read more about Asian food in Minnesota and try more than 160 recipes in Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875, in bookstores and on amazon.com.

About Me

ASIAN CULINARY ARTS INSTITUTES
Dedicated to the preservation, understanding and enjoyment
of the culinary arts of the Asia Pacific Rim.
Founded in 1994, ACAI offers food professionals and cooking enthusiasts a source for learning about the more than 50 extraordinary cuisines of the Asia Pacific Rim. ACAI has created recipes, classes, events, and informational materials featuring the traditional cuisines of China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and more.